Approved organizational reforms bill seen to improve PNP services

A SENATOR on Tuesday expressed confidence that Senate Bill (SB) 2449 or the Philippine National Police (PNP) Organizational Reforms Act would result in better performance of the country's police force.

Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., who principally authored and co-sponsored the measure, made the statement after it was unanimously approved by senators in the plenary on Monday.

“Importante kasi na maisaayos natin ang mga opisina sa hanay ng PNP para lalong mas maging episyente at epektibo ang kanilang pagtugon sa kanilang mga tungkulin (It is important for us to be able to fix the offices under the PNP to make them perform more efficiently and effectively),” Revilla said.

“Panahon na para masakatuparan ang repormang matagal nang inaasam ng ating mga kababayan sa ating pulisya (It is about time that these reforms, long-awaited by our police force, be implemented). This will be beneficial for the institution and for the people they serve and protect.”

SB 2449 seeks to create new offices under the PNP, such as area police commands in clustered regional offices for inter-regional operations and city police offices in highly urbanized and independent component cities.

It shall institutionalize special police offices, such as the Philippine National Police Academy, Strategy Management Center, Human Rights Affairs Office, Peace Process and Development Center, Command Center, Public Information Office, Liaison Office for the Office of the President, Liaison Office for the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Legislative Affairs Center, and the Office of the Police Attaché to continue supporting the PNP.

 The measure will also establish a command group composed of the PNP chief, deputy chief for administration, deputy chief for operations, and chief of the Directorial Staff, whose members shall be selected from among the most senior and qualified officers in the service.

Revilla thanked his colleagues for helping craft the measure and eventually approving it, including its sponsor Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. (Wilnard Bacelonia)